The Restoration of the Gospel - The Dawning of a Brighter Day

A couple of weeks ago I attended church in a Tongan ward on Maui. Whenever we go to Maui, we always go to the same church, at the same time. We were a little surprised that there were still parking spaces when we arrived five minutes early. It has always been overcrowded, with chairs filling the cultural hall and half of the congregation being visitors. We went in the chapel and sat on the comfortable pews. Strangely there were no visitors. A few minutes later, a man brought us headsets and told us this was a Tongan ward. I hesitantly took the headset, wondering if we should try to hurry to the English speaking ward a few miles away. We decided to stay. How grateful I am that we did! The entire meeting, from beginning to end, touched my soul! I can’t begin to explain the feelings I had that day! After the sacrament and before the bearing of testimonies, they sang “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer.” Then a steady stream of faithful saints bore the sweetest testimonies. We left church that day with tears in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts for heartfelt testimonies of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They testified that Joseph Smith, our latter-day prophet and their local leaders were truly called of God.

One older man bore his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He spoke of knowing people who love everything about the Church – but they cannot accept Joseph Smith. He next said something so profound! “They love the fruit but not the tree.” As I began my study of The Restoration of the Gospel - The Dawning of a Brighter Day from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley, those words came back to me again. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the church of Jesus Christ! After centuries of its absence, it was restored again through the Prophet Joseph. While we do not worship Joseph Smith, it is imperative for us to know that he was the prophet of the Restoration. Through him, we are able to enjoy the sweet fruit of the gospel.

James E. Faust reminds us that the fulness of the gospel "was originally established by the Savior in His earthly ministry. But then there was a falling away. With this falling away, priesthood keys were lost, and some precious doctrines of the Church organized by the Savior were changed. Among these were baptism by immersion; receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; the nature of the Godhead—that They are three distinct personages; all mankind will be resurrected through the Atonement of Christ, ‘both … the just and the unjust’; continuous revelation—that the heavens are not closed; and temple work for the living and the dead.”1

Because there was a restoration, we are again able to enjoy the fulness of the gospel. President Hinckley spoke of “a few of many doctrines and practices which distinguish us from all other churches, and all of which have come of revelation to the youthful Prophet.” I have chosen the elaborate on the ones that have been the greatest source of strength and comfort for me personally and that have been vital in obtaining and maintaining my testimony.

The Godhead – President Hinckley taught, “In the short time of that remarkable vision Joseph learned more concerning Deity than all of the scholars and clerics of the past. In this divine revelation there was reaffirmed beyond doubt the reality of the literal Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This knowledge of Deity, hidden from the world for centuries, was the first and great thing which God revealed to His chosen servant.”

Donald L. Hallstrom said, “Our most fundamental doctrine includes the knowledge that we are children of a living God. That is why one of His most sacred names is Father—Heavenly Father. This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain. A correct understanding of our heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation. It is foundational to comprehending the glorious plan of salvation and to nurturing faith in the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus the Christ, and in His merciful Atonement. Is our heavenly parentage our first and most profound identity?”2

Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us “we must never forget that we are God’s literal spirit children. We were His children before we came to this world, and we will be His children forevermore. This basic truth should change the way we look at ourselves, our brothers and sisters, and life itself.”3

The Book of Mormon – President Hinckley said, “The Book of Mormon has come forth by the gift and power of God. It speaks as a voice from the dust in testimony of the Son of God. It speaks of His birth, of His ministry, of His Crucifixion and Resurrection, and of His appearance to the righteous in the land Bountiful on the American continent. It is a tangible thing that can be handled, that can be read, that can be tested. It carries within its covers a promise of its divine origin.”

Gary E. Stevenson encourages us to “pore through the passages of this precious book and encounter your beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on nearly every page. The truths you will find there will uplift and inspire you in a similar way. They will strengthen your faith, fill your soul with light, and prepare you for a future you scarcely have the ability to comprehend. As you look to the book, you look to the Lord.”4

Priesthood Authority – President Hinckley taught, “Priesthood authority came from the only place it could come, and that is from heaven. It was bestowed under the hands of those who held it when the Savior walked the earth.”

David A. Bednar boldly declared, “The priesthood is the authority of God delegated to men on the earth to act in all things for the salvation of mankind. Priesthood is the means whereby the Lord acts through men to save souls. One of the defining features of the Church of Jesus Christ, both anciently and today, is His authority. There can be no true Church without divine authority.”5

Salvation for the Dead – President Hinckley reminds us, “The great doctrine of salvation for the dead is unique to this Church. … The dead are given the same opportunity as the living. Again, what a glorious and wonderful provision the Almighty has made through His revelation to His Prophet.”

Elder Faust taught, “Through the earth’s long history, temple worship has been a significant part of the Saints’ worship, by which they show their desire to come closer to their Creator. The temple was a place of learning for the Savior when He was on the earth; it was very much a part of His life. Temple blessings are available once again in our day. The Lord has said that His work is ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ It follows then that all mankind, living and dead, should have the opportunity of hearing the gospel either in this life or in the spirit world. As Paul said to the Corinthians, ‘Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?’ This is the reason we do ordinance work in temples for our deceased ancestors. No person’s choice or agency is taken away. Those for whom the work is done may accept it or not, as they choose.”1

Russell M. Nelson said, “Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple.”6

The Family – President Hinckley taught, “The family is a creation of the Almighty. It represents the most sacred of all relationships. It is the fundamental organization of society. Through the revelations of God to His Prophet came the doctrine and authority under which families are sealed together not only for this life but for all eternity.”

M. Russell Ballard said, “In the Church, our belief in the overriding importance of families is rooted in restored doctrine. We know of the sanctity of families in both directions of our eternal existence. We know that before this life we lived with our Heavenly Father as part of His family, and we know that family relationships can endure beyond death. Our family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family.” 7

Modern Revelation – President Hinckley reminds us, “A growing church, a church that is spreading across the earth in these complex times, needs constant revelation from the throne of heaven to guide it and move it forward.”

Spencer W. Kimball taught, “Of all things, that for which we should be most grateful today is that the heavens are indeed open and that the restored church of Jesus Christ is founded upon the rock of revelation. Continuous revelation is indeed the very lifeblood of the gospel of the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”8

I am grateful beyond words for the blessings that have come into my life because of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph and restored the truths and doctrines of Christ’s church. I am grateful for both the fruit and the tree! I am grateful for eternal families and the temple ordinances that make that possible. I am grateful for the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know we have a living prophet who guides the Savior’s Church today.

President Hinckley offered this challenge at the end of his conference talk in April of 2004, which I hope we will all accept: “It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. We must live as true followers of the Christ. May we live worthy of the glorious endowment of light and understanding and eternal truth which has come to us through all the perils of the past. Somehow, among all who have walked the earth, we have been brought forth in this unique and remarkable season. Be grateful, and above all be faithful.”9